Message regarding
Tuesday's primary
The Revised Constitution and Bylaws of the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe under Article X-Vacancies and Removal, Section 1,2,3,4,5 states clearly as follows:
"Section 2. The Reservation Business Committee by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of its members shall remove any officer or member of the Committee for the following causes:
a) Malfeasance in the handling of tribal affairs.
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b) Dereliction or neglect of duty.
c) Unexcused failure to attend two regular meetings in succession.
d) Conviction of a felony in any county, state or federal court while serving on the Reservation Business Committee.
e) Refusal to comply with any provisions of the Constitution and Bylaws of the Tribe."
In violation of the Constitution and guilty of impeachable offenses, Secretary Treasurer Franklin "Bud" Heisler and Dist. 2 representative Anthony "Tony" Wadena, son of Chip Wadena who should have excused himself from voting, are both incumbents to those posts and are seeking re-election in the April 4 primary. They voted to place former chairman Chip Wadena's name on the ballot in the 2004 elections. This causes a constitutional crisis since Chip was a convicted felon in federal court, having violated all of Section 2 of the Constitution.
To their credit, Dist. 1 representative Irene Auginash, incumbent and seeking re-election in the April 4 primary, and Gus Bevins, Dist. 3 representative, voted against putting Chip on the ballot. The Chairman, Doyle Turner broke the tie and voted yes and lost the primary election to Chip Wadena and current Chairperson, Erma Vizenor. Having lost the primary renders moot impeachment proceedings against Doyle Turner.
Should they prevail in the April 4 primary, impeachment proceedings will be initiated against Secretary Treasurer Bud Heisler and Dist. 2 representative Tony Wadena.
I strongly urge all tribal members to vote in the April 4th primary and the general election June 13. Polls open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Minneapolis American Center. A candidates' forum for the winners of the April 4 primary will be held April 22 at 1 p.m. at the Minneapolis American Indian Center at 1530 East Franklin Ave., Minneapolis. Candidates are urged to attend.
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Vernon Bellecourt
White Earth Tribal Member
